THE APPLICATION OF LANGUAGE LEARNING STRATEGIES AND ITS CORRELATION TO ENGLISH PROFICIENCY OF THE TOEFL PREPARATION CLASS STUDENTS AT LBPP LIA MALANG

Keywords: language learning strategies, students in TOEFL preparation, Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) questionnaireEnglish has become a common requirement in academic and work fields. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is designed to measure English proficiency, such as the abilities to use and understand English. Before taking the TOEFL test, many test takers are recommended to take some preparation by doing some TOEFL exercise or participating in TOEFL class preparation. In taking the TOEFL preparation class learners need effective learning strategies to get the expected TOEFL score. By applying the strategies, the learning process will be more effective. This study is aimed at examining the language learning strategies applied by the students of TOEFL preparation class at LBPP LIA Malang, and the correlation between the application of language learning strategies and TOEFL score.This study used descriptive quantitative approach and survey related to correlation study. The subjects of this study were 37 students of TOEFL preparation class at LBPP Lia Malang taken by quota sampling. The data weretaken from Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) questionnaire completed by the students and their TOEFL score at the end of the level.The results show that the use of overall language learning strategies falls into medium level, meaning that the students sometimes used those strategies. Inparticular, metacognitive strategies are found as the most frequently used strategies, followed by compensation, social, affective, cognitive, and memorystrategies. In addition, there is a positive sufficient significant correlation amongmetacognitive and cognitive strategies and TOEFL score. The possible reason ofsufficient correlation is caused by the context of English use since English isconsidered as a foreign language in Indonesia.In suggestion, it is expected that the learners improve their English proficiency by using appropriate learning strategies and the teachers can introduce and emphasize the application of language learning strategies to the students,especially metacognitive and cognitive strategies